Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting closed
Election
Category
Candidates
Samiya Siddiqi
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Hi! I'm Samiya, a third-year English student hoping to serve you as Union Affairs Officer. My priorities if elected are:
- Ensuring ample and easily accessible mental health support for students, ideally with a shorter waiting time.
- Campaigning for tuition fee compensation as a result of strikes.
- Improving the maintenance, upkeep and accessibility of multi-faith rooms.
- Ensuring all prices across SU cafés are standardised for common items.
- More accessible women’s-only hours in Bloomsbury Fitness.
- Making it compulsory that Presidents of all societies take Unconscious Bias training
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Throughout the years I’ve been here, I’ve had the privilege of sitting on the committees of multiple societies, including the Islamic and English Societies. In my roles therein, I have put an immense amount of work into helping to organise large-scale events in many ways, ranging from hosting events to organising excursions. I have made a sincere effort to understand exactly what the community needs so that it can translate to the more administrative and managerial roles I’ve taken on in societies, therefore helping students to feel truly represented.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I am committed to facilitating a welcoming, inclusive and accessible space for all students; particularly as a Muslim woman of colour, this issue is deeply personal to me. I would commit to creating a strong link between the Union and the students, and giving back to the community that has given me so much. I pledge that I would pour all of my efforts and hard work into ensuring that it is continually thriving, improving and growing so that students can benefit as I have!
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Ben 'GNOME' Scanlan
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
-BAN PDA IN THE STUDENT'S CENTRE
-SELL JEREMY BENTHAM AND USE THE MONEY FOR GOOD
-GIANT 30 FT GNOME STATUE IN THE MAIN QUAD
I will Gnomify the students union. Then I will Gnomify UCL.
I will make it mandatory for students and professors to wear beards and whimsical little hats. Large oversized belt buckles and fishing rods will be required too.
I believe in a future where Gnomes and people can live in harmony. And I want UCL to be the nucleus of Gnome activity.
I will announce more Gnome based policies on my instagram account UCLgnomes2023
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I have many gnome based skills for this role. Including standing around doing nothing all day (just like a real gnome). And also being a silly little guy.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Students should vote for me to show their support for the Gnome community. We need to make UCL Gnome again! The students union needs some serious Gnoming. And I'm the man for the job. Please vote for me please. Please.
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Deniz Akinci
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Hi everyone, it’s Deniz,
We achieved so much together; let’s get more done!
Democracy, Transparency, Accountability:
- Develop a constitutional framework to strengthen democracy
- Partner with UCL to increase student voice & media reach
- Introduce townhalls with leadership for greater accountability
Sustainability & Innovation:
- Drive sustainable student-led change through the new Student Initiative Programme
- Develop the SU Sustainability Training
Student Support:
- Improve Financial Assistance
- Expand commercial services, especially to UCL East
- National lobbying for cost of living
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
During my first term as the Union Affairs Officer, I had the historic role of making sure student needs were considered in the UCL Strategic Plan 2022-27. Here is some of what I’ve delivered through this process:
- A new Student Life Strategy that will make us the best funded student body in the UK
- An Estates Strategy with a strong focus around student & campus experience
- Recognition of a Students’ Union Building as an institutional priority
As I pushed for all of these, I have cultivated a strong understanding of UCL’s governance, which I will use to deliver even more in my second term.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I believe the most important part of my role is overseeing our democracy; as a core, defining characteristic of what we are, and who we are. I am, and have always been a champion for transparency, accountability, and freedom of speech. I believe in equality of opportunity, therefore I wish to empower every student to be able to make a change at UCL, whether they are elected or not. I believe innovation is the best way to solve our problems, and I hope to use its power for a more sustainable future.
I want nothing more than to serve you another year. Give me your vote, and lend me your voice!
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Mary McHarg
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
- Pilot an SU Skills module. Want to dedicate more time to your club, volunteer group, or society, but your timetable is full? Student leaders develop invaluable skills- let’s recognise that with a credit-bearing module
- Create a Building proposal with arts, media, and sports facilities; push for more social space and a free campus pantry
- Remove bar hire fees for student groups; spread awareness of our commercial operations and encourage student entrepreneurship in SU spaces
- Ensure student involvement as we roll out the Student Life Strategy; increase officer scrutiny and accountability
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
- I’ve been your Activities & Engagement Officer for the past year, and have allocated over £100k for clubs, societies, and volunteer groups to deliver exceptional activities
- With SU staff, I co-wrote the Student Life Strategy, resulting in over £2m investment- the biggest SU funding increase in history
- I sit on the Finance, Governance, and Risk & Audit Committees, and have excellent knowledge of the union and its processes
- I’ve given UCL 101 talks to 1000s of freshers, and am confident running events and comms- you may recognise me from the Welcome Fair, SU Instagram, or my weekly emails…
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Although I co-wrote the 5-year Student Life Strategy, I’m now committed to delivering it right. Students must be involved at every stage of delivery, through focus groups and consultation, so we can deliver what every UCL student deserves:
- Spaces where all feel welcome, especially our LGBTQ+, Trans, POC, and international student communities
- Activities that anyone can take part in, regardless of ability, income, or experience
- Policies that reflect our aspirations, championing sustainability and student empowerment
We deserve the best student experience in the UK. I’ll make it happen.
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